'We won't allow Sammy Gyamfi, NDC to attack Afenyo-Markin for questioning $1.7bn GoldBod loss' — Central Region NPP declares war
Executives and members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Central Region have condemned what they describe as attacks on Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin over his demand for answers from the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) concerning an alleged $1.7 billion loss.
The party members accused GoldBod Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi of attacking the Minority Leader instead of addressing questions surrounding the reported loss.
According to the Central Regional NPP, Mr Gyamfi “has no credibility to attack Honourable Afenyo-Markin” and should focus on explaining the circumstances surrounding the alleged financial loss.
They argued that the disputed funds could have been channelled into critical national needs, including the completion of outstanding Agenda 111 hospital projects.
The position was made known at a press briefing held at the Central Regional NPP office, where hundreds of party supporters gathered to express solidarity with the Minority Leader.
Addressing the media on behalf of the regional executives and party members, Central Regional NPP Secretary Richard Takyi Mensah said Mr Afenyo-Markin was merely performing his constitutional duty by demanding accountability from the GoldBod CEO.
He maintained that asking questions about the management of public funds could not be considered a crime.
“As NPP Central Region, led by our regional chairman, Dr. Joseph Kobina Essibu, we will not stand by and allow Sammy Gyamfi and the NDC to attack the person of our own Afenyo-Markin,” he said.
“Today, one of our own stands at the centre of a national storm not because he has stolen Ghana’s resources, not because he has abandoned his constitutional responsibilities, but because he has dared to ask questions about billions of Ghanaian taxpayers’ resources,” Takyi Mensah added.
The Central Regional Secretary also criticised what he described as Mr Gyamfi’s conduct towards former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the previous NPP administration.
He accused the GoldBod CEO of disparaging the former President and alleging that the previous government engaged in improper sole-sourcing.
Mr Takyi Mensah said the Central Regional NPP, together with the party’s national leadership, would continue to support the Minority Caucus in its efforts to obtain answers concerning the disputed losses linked to gold-trading transactions.
“We all mean well for this country and for this region. No Ghanaian should be intimidated, and we will not be coerced into submission simply because we are doing our civic duty. We will be resolute in demanding answers, because this is taxpayers’ money, our money, and we will do everything to protect this country’s future,” he said.